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  4. Dogs

What you need to know before you buy a puppy

Find out what you need to think about before you decide to buy a puppy. There are also tips on finding the right dog breed for you, where to get your dog from, how to settle it in and the rules of owning a dog.

The first things to think about

A responsible owner will first think long and hard about buying a puppy/ dog. A rash decision may cause distress and suffering to the animal and could end up costing the owner a lot more. A puppy will soon become an adult dog that could live for about 13 years or longer.

It's therefore advisable to do some research before buying a dog.  What you need to think about is listed below. 

Lifestyle

  • does your lifestyle, such as how you spend your days and evenings, mean that you can offer a dog the things it needs?
  • can you make time to spend with your dog?

Environment

  • is your environment safe for a dog?
  • do you have a safe and secure place for your dog to stay?
  • will a dog enjoy staying in your environment?

Exercise, training, play

  • do you know how much exercise, training and play a growing puppy, or dog, needs?
  • can you make sure a puppy/ dog gets enough exercise, training and play?

Doggy behaviour

  • do you know how different breeds behave?
  • do you know how a puppy might behave when it grows into an adult?
  • do you know if any breeds are really friendly?
  • do you know if any breeds are very shy?
  • do you know if any breeds are aggressive?
  • do you know if any breeds won’t like to be near other breeds, or other animals?
  • when a dog behaves in a certain way, are you confident that you know what it needs?

The cost of caring for a dog

Work out how much it will cost to keep a dog, so you can make sure you can afford to care for it. During a dog's lifetime (10 to 15 years) the main costs are:

  • vet's bills such as vaccinations and neutering
  • insurance - in case it's involved in an accident or becomes ill
  • food
  • paying for your dog to stay in a kennel when you're away

Finding the right dog breed for you

There are many different breeds of dogs. Each breed tends to behave in a particular way and knowing about this will help you choose the dog that's right for you. Although there's no guarantee that a particular dog will behave exactly how its breed behaves. Find out more:

  • Finding the right dog breed for you
  • Banned breeds of dogs in Northern Ireland 

Once you've decided that you are able to offer a dog the time, money and commitment that it needs, you then need to think about where to get the dog. You could re-home an unwanted puppy or buy from a responsible breeder or privately. Find out more:

  • Buying a dog and responsible dog ownership

Helping your new puppy settle in 

When you have chosen your new dog, you will need to take it home. For the journey to its new home, it will need a comfortable dog carrier and a cosy blanket. For a longer journey, it will also need water, food and rest stops.

When you have taken your new dog to its new home, make it as relaxed as possible:

  • settle your new dog into its new environment
  • try to minimize exposure to loud noises
  • don’t let children or adults handle the dog too much if it’s nervous
  • if the dog shows signs of distress sit quietly and comfort it
  • make sure you follow advice the breeder/ seller gives you about ‘socialisation’, this is about preparing the puppy for the world around it

Tips on your dogs diet, creating a safe home, signs of illness and more can be found below:

  • Welfare of dogs: the need for a suitable diet 
  • Welfare of dogs: the need for a suitable environment  
  • Welfare of dogs: protection from pain and illness
  • Welfare of dogs: getting on with other animals
  • Welfare of dogs: normal behaviour patterns

Responsibilities of dog owners

Anyone who decides to get a dog becomes responsible for that animal and will need to know about the rules of owning a dog.  These include:

  • Dog licensing and microchipping
  • Controlling your dog in public
  • Meeting the welfare needs of the dog
  • Dog fouling 

More useful links

  • Buying and caring for a puppy - a guide
  • Puppy smuggling leaflet
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Dogs

  • Banned breeds of dogs in Northern Ireland
  • Buying a dog and responsible dog ownership
  • Controlling your dog in public
  • Council dog summary statistics
  • Dealing with dogs that worry livestock
  • Dog fouling
  • Dog licensing and microchipping
  • Finding the right dog breed for you
  • Lost and stray dogs
  • Tail-docking dogs
  • Welfare of dogs
  • What you need to know before you buy a puppy

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